FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 - Group E: Preview, schedule and how to watch
Group E houses the reigning World Cup champions in the form of the USA, along with their 2019 final opponents the Netherlands. The pair are joined by tournament newcomers Portugal and Vietnam, both of which are poised to make their competition debut this summer.
Football
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is rapidly approaching. ompete for the most coveted prize in world football.
Group E is home to reigning back-to-back Champions the United States Women’s National Soccer Team, who will be looking to become the first country to three-peat in the history of the competition and bring home the most coveted prize in world football.
They’ll be up against the same side they beat in the 2019 final in the form of the Netherlands, with head coach Andries Jonker at the helm.
The two competition veterans will be joined by two debutants making their maiden appearance in the world’s biggest competition: Portugal and Vietnam.
Ahead of the tournament commencing, here is the lowdown on Group E including players to watch and their complete schedule.
READ MORE:
- 2023 Women’s World Cup: Group A Preview
- 2023 Women’s World Cup: Group B Preview
- 2023 Women’s World Cup: Group C Preview
- 2023 Women’s World Cup: Group D Preview
2023 Women's World Cup: Group E preview
As the reigning champions, there is no denying that the USA come into the competition - let alone the group - as overwhelming favourites. During Vlatko Andonovski’s tenure so far we’ve come to expect a team that employs a fierce blend of both youth and experience.
Perhaps their biggest boost going into the tournament was the return of long-standing defensive midfielder Julie Ertz who - after some injury troubles and maternity leave - returned to action earlier this year. They will also have veteran forward Alex Morgan to call upon, their no.13 in fine club form with seven goal involvements in her last nine NWSL games.
We’re set to be treated to a re-match of the 2019 final with the Netherlands also drawn in this group. The Dutch fell just short of the world title by a two-goal margin four years ago, having looked to replicate the fine form that saw them win the 2017 European Championship two years prior. Star striker Vivianne Miedema will be sidelined this time around, having suffered a long-term knee injury while playing for Arsenal.
Andries Jonker took over the reins following a disappointing exit at last summer’s European Championships and has refreshed his roster, bringing in plenty of promising young stars to kickstart his era with the Netherlands.
The European outfit is likely to join the USWNT as favourites to emerge from the group stages, with two tournament debutants making up the remainder of the quartet. Despite it taking them a while to reach the promise land, Portugal forward Jessica Silva is convinced that she and her team-mates can make an impact on football’s biggest stage, saying: “Anyone who has been watching us will see that we’re a good team, that we’re talented and play good football, but that we work really hard, too.
“I really believe we’ll do well at the World Cup.”
Fellow novice Vietnam will join them as newcomers to the tournament after a 2-1 win over Chinese Taipei confirmed their spot on the plane to Australia and New Zealand. While many may not have them making it out of the groups on their first attempt, Vietnam will be enthused heading into it having won gold at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games. A 2-0 win over Myanmar in the final secured top spot, sending a message to any onlooking competitors that they mean business when they touch down this summer.
2023 Women's World Cup: Group E - Players to watch
There is plenty of talent on offer within Group E, but here are two youngsters in particular that could introduce themselves to the world stage this summer…
FRISCO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 22: Naomi Girma #12 of the United States controls the ball against Brazil during the first half in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup match at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Naomi Girma - USA
The USWNT is stacked to the rafters with talent, from veterans such as Alex Morgan and the returning Julie Ertz, to youngsters Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman. There is, however, one up-and-coming player that is poised to formally introduce herself to the world this summer: Noami Girma.
The San Diego Wave defender is in just her second full season as a professional player after entering the NWSL draft post-college but under the guidance of former centre-back Casey Stoney, the 22-year-old is rapidly growing into a complete player in the back line.
After her first season in the American league, she was named the NWSL Defender of the Year and NWSL Rookie of the Year, which is a testament to the talent she already possesses.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 17: Romee Leuchter of The Netherlands celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 group C match between Switzerland and Netherlands at Bramall Lane on July 17, 2022 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
**Romée Leuchter - Netherlands **
With Vivianne Miedema ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an ACL injury late last year, the Netherlands are in need of a goal-scorer to lead their hopeful charge towards the title.
22-year-old Romée Leuchter may well be the player they turn to in the absence of their all-time leading talisman. Despite only making her senior team debut for the Dutch side last year, the forward has shown her attacking prowess for Ajax in the last two seasons spent with them.
This season alone she registered 24 goal involvements in 18 games (17 goals, seven assists), which came off the back of a 24-game season that saw her score 25 and create five. Leuchter featured off the bench during the Euros last summer, but with Miedema supporting from the sidelines, this summer could mark her chance at a starring role.
LEIGH, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Jessica Silva of Portugal celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 group C match between Portugal and Switzerland at Leigh Sports Village on July 09, 2022 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
2023 Women's World Cup: Schedule and how to watch
Here’s how the group stages are shaping up for these four nations (all local times; AEST–UTC+12)…
22 July 2023: United States v Vietnam, 13:00 KO at Eden Park, Auckland
23 July 2023: Netherlands v Portugal, 19:30 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
27 July 2023: United States v Netherlands, 13:00 KO at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
27 July 2023: Portugal v Vietnam, 19:30 KO at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
1 August 2023: Portugal v United States, 19:00 KO at Eden Park, Auckland
1 August 2023: Vietnam v Netherlands at 19:00 KO at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
You can discover how to watch live and find the full list of confirmed broadcasters so far here.